Directory Structure for Input Data

There is a basic directory structure for Inspect3D's input data that aligns with some useful concepts from the experiments that produced the data. This directory structure organizes the CMZ files and C3D files that contain the information relevant for analysis. This structure has 5 levels, from root folder to deepest leaf they are:

1. Study
2. Group
3. Session
4. Task
5. Trial

Study

Although the name of this directory level suggests that the data it contains is only used for one study, this is not necessary. As a top-level concept this is the largest, most general database that is stored in one location. This could be specific to a study, or it could be specific to a project, researcher, lab, or consortium. In these latter cases it is possible to define queries to extract the specific signals that are desired for an individual study.

Group

This level of the directory structure is optional, but it allows the researcher to divide c3d files according to desired parameters, e.g., Women - Men, Old - Young. If this level is omitted from the structure then individual C3D files can be tagged with the necessary parameters to allow for their specific selection.

Session

This directory level can be conceived as a single day (or single effort) of data collection within the database. This is the most important level as this is where the CMZ file and log files get stored. This is also the level of the directory where static models are stored for all subjects involved in the session.

Task

This level of the directory allows the researcher to divide c3d files according to the desired activity, e.g., walking, running, jumping, etc. As with group-level parameters, C3D files can be coded with these different tasks by using tags.

Trial

At this level of the directory structure we have individual trials. This means that we have the individual C3D files that are recorded by the motion capture system.